The LPGA’s limited tie-dye hoodie is not controversial.
Until the 30th
That’s more than $ 300,000 for charities led by Powell, the second African American to play the LPGA Tour (Althea Gibson was the first when she took the tour in 1967) and the owner and operator of Clearview Golf Club in East Canton. Ohio.
The public golf course was designed by Renee’s father, Bill Powell, in 1946 and was the first to be built, owned, and operated by an African American.
“When Michelle and Roberta (Bowman, LPGA’s chief brand and communications officer) and I started talking about the Hoodie project, I had no idea what it was going to be like,” Powell said at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June. “I was overwhelmed by the support from people and everyone wants a hoodie. It’s one thing. “
The campaign officially started on April 19th.
Like West, Powell, and Bowman, the LPGA # HoodieForGolf project was fully completed through Zoom calls resulting from travel and social distancing restrictions during the pandemic.
Like West was inspired by the Women’s National Basketball Association’s orange hoodie. Worn in public by Lebron James and other NBA players and widely seen on social media platforms, this hoodie was a must-have for many. It was also a godsend for the WNBA’s exposure.
It turns out that the LPGA Hoodie Project also received an early, if not too surprising, boost from the NBA. Pictures of Golden State Warrior players Damion Lee and Kent Bazemore wearing the hoodies also went viral. Like West, in case you didn’t know, is married to Jonnie West, the director of Warrior’s basketball division and the son of the NBA Hall of Famer, Jerry West.
A first edition of the shirts was sold out within hours.
“We had no idea how popular the hoodie was going to get and we’re so grateful for all the support and interest,” said the five-time LPGA Tour winner in an LPGA video. “We see the hoodie everywhere, with athletes, celebrities and LPGA fans of all ages. I think it’s a combination of a great product that goes to good use and the power of social media. Wearing the hoodie has become a badge of honor for LPGA fans. What was crazy was how quickly the Large and XLs sizes sold out again and again. It’s just amazing to see how all the men who are fans of the LPGA wear the hoodie. “
Include me in it. When the campaign ends at the end of the year, I jumped online last week and ordered one. The hoodie is a little expensive for us Canadians because of the dollar, customs fees and international shipping, but it’s an item I wouldn’t want to miss.
“It was cool to see the hoodies all over the country and around the world. At LPGA events, of course, but also at airports, concerts and other sporting events. Our LPGA fans are a community and the hoodie is a way our fans show their support, ”added Wie West.
It should be noted that hoodies on the golf course weren’t exactly cool at the time about a year ago or anything. Do you remember hoodie gate? It was a hype when Tyrrell Hatton wore a different-colored adidas golf hoodie for all four rounds of the flagship of the BMW PGA Championship of the European Tour at the renowned Wentworth Golf Club in England.
Dress code purists got excited. Horrified curmudgeons complained that Hatton’s fashion statement was outrageously diverse, one with the potential to escalate into a spectacle with hooded sweaters running roughly down the fairways via traditional quarter zips and windbreakers.
Proud to be an @ LPGA Tour Member! #HoodieForGolf pic.twitter.com/N8VtBVqteq
– Brooke Henderson (@BrookeHenderson) June 17, 2021
Many clubs took this threat seriously. Members were warned that hoodies are not acceptable clothing on the golf course.
Hatton had a message with a slightly different point of view.
“I think people should be open to the idea of creating a more open sport, rather than… you don’t want it to be kind of snobby. I think you have to go on there. If it’s comfortable to play in and it looks good, there’s no reason there should be a problem with it, ”he said.
Almost 12 months later, hoodies were part of Team USA’s clothing for the Ryder Cup.
Apparently the LPGA hoodie has to be comfortable. Last month, a woman in a group in front of us was out on a round of golf at a nearby public course, proudly wearing one.
Makes a couple I’ve seen on golf courses this season.
“It just shows the power of partnerships and visions,” said Bowman, who was responsible for the logistics of the Hoodie campaign. “We agreed to it without knowing how it would go. Now we’ve sold 13,000 of these hoodies and raised over $ 300,000 for charity. To be honest, it wasn’t until late that I understood what Clearview is and what it represents. One of the wonderful things about this hoodie project and Michelle’s relationship with it is that we’re loud about Clearview because it shows what golf can be – a real melting pot for all ages, genders and people who love the game. “
The LPGA hoodie campaign will officially end on December 31st. It might be Halloween this week, but remember, it’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas.